About us

What is Dharma Life?

Dharma Life is an organisation (founded in 2009) that is dedicated to poverty alleviation through rural entrepreneurship. It focuses on improving the quality of life in rural India through an entrepreneurship model that provides rural youth with livelihood opportunities and low-income rural households access to socially impactful products and services. Rural entrepreneurs are identified, selected and trained to become social change makers in their villages by addressing the issues of awareness, accessibility, and affordability for social impact products as well as services. These entrepreneurs help build an ecosystem for community engagement, behaviour change and collective participation through extensive awareness campaigns, product demonstrations and behaviour change activities.

Dharma Life, through its unique entrepreneurship model is addressing various SDGs, with focus on gender equality, poverty alleviation, clean water and sanitation, good health & well-being, indoor air pollution, access to clean energy, sustainable communities and climate action. To date Dharma Life has created a network of 16,000+ rural entrepreneurs, more than 75% of which are women entrepreneurs who have reached more than 10 million beneficiaries in 40,000+ villages, across 13 states of India.

Our People

Dharma Life’s co-founders as well as the advisory council members are experts in their ﬁelds, drawn together with a common purpose to alleviate poverty in rural India by inspiring collective participation in individuals and communities for their inclusive progress whilst retaining the self-sustainability of the Dharma Life Entrepreneur model.

Awards & Recognition

Dharma Life’s business model and work has been recognized internationally for its self-sustainability and employment generation for rural households.

The Accomplished Entrepreneur Awards, 2015

The award is given by London Business School in recognition of its alumni who have created successful entrepreneurial value. Dharma Life won the award in the Early-stage ventures category that recognizes ventures that have developed a robust business model and are on the cusp of rapid growth.

BMW Young Leaders Award 2013

The BMW Young Leaders Awards are awarded to those who address social issues through innovative high-potential initiatives that can become sustainable in the mid-to-long term.

Entrepreneurship Summer School, 2009

London Business School's Entrepreneurship Summer School award is given to those who thoroughly explore business opportunities, research their target market and industry and demonstrate a practical approach to turn their idea into a viable business.

Dharma Life works with trusts, foundations and not-for-profit organisations as well as for-profit organisations across a variety of industries – both Indian and international.